Fated to the Huntress

Theria tugged at the sleeves of her dress and groaned. It constricted her shoulders and waist, making it hard to move freely as she was used to. Her chest was so tight she could barely breathe, there was no give in how far she could move her legs, so she couldn't walk normally, much less run or kick if needed. And the fabric made her skin crawl with how light it was. Almost like she was wearing nothing. She looked in the mirror before her and realized how it hugged her, she might as well not wear anything. All this dress was, was her skin in a different color. She grimaced at herself and tugged on the sleeves again, then every bit of material she could grasp, trying to stretch it as much as possible. Every time she let go, it snapped back into place, until eventually she had no choice but to give up. Nothing made this stuff stretch, and she would only exhaust herself more by trying. Another groan escaped her. Even thinking of wearing this all night made her feel weak and pathetic. "If only I were a guy," She thought miserably. At least they got to wear pants for these gatherings. Theria moved toward her small bed, wanting to nap before the party started in the courtyard. Her tiny room was located on the second floor, just above it, so she knew she'd be woken by the sounds once the gathering was in full swing. She didn't want to go down to early and end up staying any longer than necessary, but she also knew she couldn't blow this off altogether. That would be disrespectful to Adam, after all, and he was the last person she would want to disappoint. At least, a nap was Theria's plan, until Tilly burst into her room in all her bulky matron glory with a sharp bang to her door. "Up you get you lazy gal! Gatherin's about to start and I'll not have you dozing off and not looking presentable. Up you get, agh, you've not e'en done yer hair!" Theria had, in fact, "done her hair" up in a basic ponytail, like always, but she knew better than to fight Tilly. The older women had ancestors from across the sea, from a land known for quick tempers and strong arms, and Tilly proved they were no joke. She may not be a warrior for the Lodge, but no one contradicted her on pain of a worse beating than even Adam could dish out. Theria had learned that long ago, but she had hardly ever been at the other end of Tilly's wrath, which suited her just fine. The older woman had arms thick as trees, and was so active in the day to day of the Lodge being on her bad side could possibly be a death sentence. As Tilly pulled her hair this way and that, almost as tight as the dress she wore, Theria listened to her muttering under her breath about all the work to be done. Dishes to be made, handed out, cleaned up, people to be made presentable and not a "spot o' help for poor ol' Tilly." "You know this Lodge would fall apart without you Tilly." Theria offered, as thanks when Tilly finally stepped away. Her scalp hurt and she could already feel a headache coming on, but she knew better than to be ungrateful for anything Tilly offered. Tilly flipped her long ginger hair out of her face and smoothed her apron on her front. "Aye, that'd be the truth of it." She agreed with a small smile before taking in Theria's finished look. Suddenly her green eyes softened and she put a gentle, though thick finger under Theria's chin, making her look up. "Why, you're surely a more gorgeous vision than any of those lads give you credit for." Those green eyes got watery quickly. "I'd have never thought, when Adam brought you here as nothing more than a wee twig in a blanket that you'd be such an angel someday." She suddenly sniffed and dropped Theria's chin, turning away and growing harsh again. "Now if you'd just act like a lady sometime!" Before Tilly stepped out of the room, she reminded Theria to head down immediately "or there'll be the devil to pay". Theria only relished the silence left from the larger woman absence for a moment before going back to the mirror. She even had to admit she looked better now, with her dark brown hair pulled into a braided bun with a few strands loose to frame her angular face. She hated how sharp her jawline was, but right now it looked softer than ever. Deciding to try a bit harder now to look presentable, she even reached for a light lipstick she'd had for a long time. She didn't bother adding anything to her cheeks, which were already prominent, or eyes, since she had thick lashes that covered her bright blue-green eyes. She didn't care to impress anyone that would be here tonight, but she had to admit, the hair might help. She'd always been just another warrior of Hillcrest Lodge ever since Adam had found her in the woods as a child. He had started her training as soon as she could walk, and she had never thought of being anything else, even when he gave her the option when she grew up. So she'd always looked a bit harder than the women she saw in town. She dressed like a man, always in armor and carrying weapons, and had been mistaken for one on multiple occasions (some men didn't take kindly to a woman who looked and dressed like a man, but she beat that prejudice out of them). Once she felt she couldn't get any better, she sighed and went outside the room, hesitating before she moved toward the stairs that led to the courtyard in the center of the Lodge. Adam had designed this place so that it was a home to the members, yet only her own room felt comfortable. Every time she stepped out, it seemed like a battle; her against all the people on the other side. Only Tilly and Adam were the exceptions, but even they could be trying sometimes. Today, Adam would be naming his replacement. The next Lodge Leader. The one she would answer to for the rest of her life as a Hunter unless she found another Lodge that would take her, which she doubted she'd be able to find one she liked. Adam had cultivated his Lodge to think a bit differently from the others, and that's why she had always liked it here. But there was no guarantee that the new Leader would respect Adam's vision. In fact, Theria knew quite a few that would completely flip, Xander especially, and she didn't think she could stay if that happened. Theria moved mechanically to the bottom step and scanned the courtyard. As expected, only a few people had already arrived. Not that it took long for anyone to show up, since they all lived in rooms in the building, but Theria hated waiting around. She sat on one of the wooden benches along the perimeter and watched as members mulled around, some forming small groups. They usually paired off with same-age members, since they usually all trained together anyway, but since Theria was trained personally by Adam, she had never bonded like the rest of them. Still, a few stopped to say hello, ask about her latest missions (she was almost always out on one or two), or ask if she had any idea who Adam would be announcing. More and more trickled in, until finally Adam made his appearance. He walked to his spot in the center of the courtyard, where the ground lifted just enough for him to be seen by everyone. Even without it, he tended to be taller than everyone else, with thick shoulders and muscles belying his years of fighting, but that had been shrinking steadily as age took it's toll. His blonde hair had grown almost entirely gray by now, but he still wore it long and shaggy, saying he couldn't be bothered to have it cut (not that Tilly hadn't tried). Once he was standing in position and everyone had faced him, he took a deep breath. "As much as I hate to admit it, I knew this day would come. The Council and I have agreed, it's time for me to step aside as Lodge Leader for Hillcrest." Everyone began muttering and side-eyeing each other. Theria saw a few elbows flying into stomaches and some even puffed out their chests, already assuming they were about to be named. Adam continued. "It has been my honor to lead you all, train you, and see you grow as people and Hunters. I couldn't have asked for a better Lodge, and I know it will only grow stronger under the new Leader myself and the Council have decided on. This person has been a leader for a long time now, whether they knew it or not, and is the person you can all look to for guidance, strength, and friendship. This is a person I've been training to take over for a long time and now is the time to make it official and begin their training in earnest, but I know they will step up and make us all proud. Without further speech, and so we can get to celebrating as quickly as possible, the person I've decided will take over my spot as Lodge Leader is-," Everyone, including Theria leaned forward, holding their breath. She saw Xander off to the side smirking, and she sneered in disgust. If he was named she'd walk out of this Lodge tonight and never look back. No doubt he was an excellent Hunter, but the thought of him being in charge made her want to hurl. "Theria Rivers!" Adam called out. Theria's eyes shot to Adam, thinking he must be scolding her for glaring at Xander. She felt her face warm up to be scolded in front of so many people and looked at her feet. "Theria, come here and take your place as the next Lodge Leader of Hillcrest." Adam said calmly, with some amusement in his tone. She looked back up and met his eye, realizing he wasn't scolding her at all! Did he really just say what she heard? Her...Lodge Leader...that didn't make sense! He motioned her forward and her body moved toward him without her thinking about it. She felt like she'd just been dropped in water and was trying to right herself, but the air was pressing on her and she couldn't breathe until Adam laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked up and met his gentle brown eyes, crinkled at the corner, as he smiled at her, before taking her hand and holding it up. "Hillcrest Lodge, I present your next Leader!" Most everyone started clapping, but Theria could see a few that sneered in her direction before Adam's glare scared them off. Xander didn't get the hint though, as his fists clenched at his sides and he openly grit his teeth and eyed her angrily. Although she was still catching up to the situation, Theria felt smug when she watched him firmly turn away and stomp over to the drink table. He would be trouble later, she already knew. Adam turned her towards him and took her hand. When she looked up again there were tears in his eyes. "When I found you all those years ago, I didn't know if you'd survive, but here you are, my strongest warrior, my dearest friend, and my proudest accomplishment. I could search a hundred years, but you're the only one worthy of taking over this Lodge." "Adam..." Seeing him tearing up made her tear up as well. Words never came easy to either of them, so for all those emotions to come out now seemed wrong and right all at once. She looked down, hiding her face. "I'll do my best to make you proud. Thank you for everything." If Adam thought she could do this, then she would be damned if she let him down. "I already am." He answered before pushing her gently to meet the other Lodge members who were all ready to greet their new Leader.